If you followed another good day of college football action, you know that the No. 5 Texas Longhorns knocked off the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners 45-35. As many of you are aware, I'm a Sooners fan, and I'm going to provide my take on the game as well as some other random thoughts.
The Sooners offense struggled with balance, and it has been a problem at times for them this year. Sam Bradford threw for five touchdowns in this game, but the running game was problematic today.
The defense on the other hand failed to get a consistent pass-rush. Forget about the four sacks on Colt McCoy. My reasoning is that the only time they got to McCoy was when they blitzed which is not normally what they do. One play in partcular when Texas cut Oklahoma's lead to 28-27 was the touchdown pass that McCoy threw to Jordan Shipley. Yes, it was only play, but Oklahoma didn't blitz on the play, and the Sooners were a country mile from getting to McCoy to disrupt him. But one of the things I've been reading around the internet is the fact that no one credits the Texas offensive line took that took control of this game. McCoy was able to move around to make plays, and the offensive line held the Sooners defensive front down. Give credit to the Longhorns for that.
There were a few calls in this game that were questionable, but that didn't factor in the outcome of the game.
Texas scored on a kickoff return touchdown, and this has been a problem for the Sooners as well on special teams. It's hard for me to be too critical of a team that suffered it's only loss on the season, and was ranked No. 1 going into the contest today. However, the Longhorns showed they are much better than people expected when I read alot of people picking the Sooners to win by as many as three touchdowns. I knew that wasn't going to happen.
The Longhorns out-coached the Sooners, and proved to be the better team on this day. Yes, the Sooners could have limited penalties and mistakes, but it was Texas that was more disciplined in key areas of the game today. Texas has a very tough road ahead of them, and the Big 12 is anything but settled at this point. If there's one thing to be learned, then it's never to count on anything or anyone at this stage of the season in any matchup in conference play. And let's also not forget how great this conference is on the offensive side of the ball, so it should come as no surprise that this game saw 80 points scored. But with that, my hat's off to Texas for winning a big game today. Now I'll talk about some other thoughts on my mind in college football......
So three top 5 teams fell on this Saturday in college football. No. 11 Florida beat No. 4 LSU and No. 17 Oklahoma State topped No. 3 Missouri. I didn't catch the Florida game, but they're right back in the BCS race with that win. As I've said before to others, Oklahoma State is a very scary team. Tonight, they were really tested for the first time this year, and they pulled out a huge win in Columbia. I said it to my brother when we were watching the Red River Shootout that it could come down to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma on the final weekend to decide the Big 12 South Division. If you haven't paid attention, Oklahoma State's offense is very balanced and they're well-coached, too. This is a program that has been rising on the field and in recruiting, and it looks like they could very well be on their way to challenging for a spot in the Big 12 Championship. But like I said earlier, it's far from settled yet in that conference.
I think one team that is really flown under the radar with a big turnaround season is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. How about they were 1-11 last year, and have already made themselves bowl eligible this season with them currently 6-1 after beating Illinois today? Coach Tim Brewster has to be in the running for National Coach of the Year with the turnaround they've done. Illinois is a good football team, and the Gophers are heading in the right direction.
Speaking of the Big Ten, Penn State continues to dominate opponents. This time, they pound Wisconsin in their backyard in convincing fashion. Mark this date on your calendar: October 25. That's when Penn State plays Ohio State in Columbus. If the Nittany Lions win that game, they win the Big Ten. I hope PSU doesn't jinx me by saying that, but they've looked as good as anyone in the country this year. Ohio State's run at Big Ten supremecy could be ending in two weeks, so watch out.
Has Michigan really fallen off that far from a year ago? I was able to see part of this game at the sports bar I went to while atching the RRS, and couldn't believe this one. Oh wait, they've lost to a D-1aa school and now lost to a MAC team for the first time ever. Yeah, Michigan has fallen, and I'm not sure when they'll get up.
The wheels are really coming off at Auburn now. I have several friends on Sporting News who are Auburn fans, and this is really a tough time for them.
I told my brother today, and I said it to people at the first of the year about Tulsa being a possible BCS buster. They came back to win at SMU tonight to remain undefeated on the season. Their toughest games appear to be against at Arkansas and Houston in November. They could make three straight years that a non-BCS school makes a BCS game.
Another feel-good story this year is at Ball State. They lost their offensive star receiver in Dante Love to a career-ending spinal cord injury when they beat Indiana early in the year, and that was their first ever win against a BCS school. But despite that, they're currently 7-0 on the season. They have won games with relative ease with only Navy testing them, and that was with Love in the lineup. So it's going to be interesting to see if they can run the table in Mid-American Conference.
Well, that's my random thoughts for the evening. It was a tough day as a Sooners fan, but this season is far from done for anyone if three top 5 teams fell again on this Saturday is any indication.
Thanks for reading, and give a look to my friend's blogs on the Blog Roll list on the right side of the page. They'll appreciate you stopping by!
10/11/2008 11:17:00 PM
David Funk
5 comments:
I watched the Minnesota/Illinois game today, and it was a very good game. I was surprised by how good Minnesota is this year...
The Penn State/Ohio State game will probably be the Big 10 game of the year, and like you said will probably decide the Big 10 champion. I am pulling for PSU, because it would be nice to see someone other than OSU win the conference. And, if OSU doesn't win the Big 10, then they are guaranteed to not make it to the BCS championship game again to get blown out by an SEC team.
Excellent work my friend, and tough luck for the Sooners.
David, i didn't watch this one (well someone did but not me (ha) ;0. i had penn state on: however, i couldn't agree more about the "questionable calls" (someone over my shoulder reading this blog as well, ;0. and a quote from that person to you
*sooners rule* stay the course.
sincerely,
the football chick in PA & mystery reader over shoulder (lol)
tcp- I agree. I didn't expect Minny to be this good, but they're turning the corner which showed with a win over a good Illinois team. OSU is going to have their hands full trying to win the Big Ten this year. It was a tough loss for the Sooners, but Texas out-played them on Saturday. The season is far from done as we both know, so who knows how it will all end.
Cindy & mystery reader- Thanks. Yes, there were some questionable calls, but it's obvious could have done much more to change the outcome of the game. Texas outcoached them, and are better than people think. They have a brutal schedule ahead of them, so it's far from over in decidind the Big 12 South. Oklahoma State and Texas Tech as well as Oklahoma will have some say in that before it's done. Alot of football left to be played as you and the mystery guy knows. But as always, thanks for chiming in girl!
The Gophers have made a great turnaround. Next year a new stadium. It will be good for the program.
Sorry about your Sooners
Lester- Yep. The Gophers are in pretty good shape with the new stadium coming next year, too. Thanks for dropping in.
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